Michael Schian, Executive Director
Michael is a physicist and astronomer, with experience in teaching and science communication. He has been with CLC Lockport almost from its founding. His research has focused on stellar evolution and star clusters. Michael has designed and led a variety of unique educational programs for the CLC including camp activities and custom planetarium presentations.
Michael is a physicist and astronomer, with experience in teaching and science communication. He has been with CLC Lockport almost from its founding. His research has focused on stellar evolution and star clusters. Michael has designed and led a variety of unique educational programs for the CLC including camp activities and custom planetarium presentations.
Jackie Baughman, Planetarium and Education Manager
Jackie has worked in planetariums for over 15 years, and has been with the Challenger Learning Center of Lockport since 2017. Jackie's Bachelor's degree in Business and Graphic Design has informed her past work as a planetarium Staff Artist, Show Presenter, and Educator, as well as her work in her present role of Challenger, her work with the Williamsville Space Lab Planetarium, and her role as Publications Chair for the Great Lakes Planetarium Association.
Jackie has worked in planetariums for over 15 years, and has been with the Challenger Learning Center of Lockport since 2017. Jackie's Bachelor's degree in Business and Graphic Design has informed her past work as a planetarium Staff Artist, Show Presenter, and Educator, as well as her work in her present role of Challenger, her work with the Williamsville Space Lab Planetarium, and her role as Publications Chair for the Great Lakes Planetarium Association.
Patrick Covell, Outreach Manager
Patrick has worked with nonprofits for 18 years in a variety of roles, including event management, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and marketing. As our Outreach Director, he develops relationships with other organizations and community leaders to help expand our presence in WNY.
Patrick has worked with nonprofits for 18 years in a variety of roles, including event management, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and marketing. As our Outreach Director, he develops relationships with other organizations and community leaders to help expand our presence in WNY.
Mark Gerlach, Program Manager and IT Manager
Mark has managed community organizations in the for-profit and non-profit sectors for 20 years, especially in youth-focused programs. He develops new programs to help us reach more people, and streamlines existing ones. In a technology-heavy setting like ours, he's able to use his strong technical background to make sure all the hardware and software our organization uses work smoothly together.
Mark has managed community organizations in the for-profit and non-profit sectors for 20 years, especially in youth-focused programs. He develops new programs to help us reach more people, and streamlines existing ones. In a technology-heavy setting like ours, he's able to use his strong technical background to make sure all the hardware and software our organization uses work smoothly together.
Hadley Douglas, Mission Commander, After-School and Summer Camp Program Coordinator
Hadley has a dual Bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Buffalo, has been a leader in the Challenger Learning Center's youth programs nearly since its founding, and is pursuing her Master's degree at UB, beginning this fall.
Hadley has a dual Bachelor's degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Buffalo, has been a leader in the Challenger Learning Center's youth programs nearly since its founding, and is pursuing her Master's degree at UB, beginning this fall.
Trent McCarthy, After-School and Summer Camp Program Coordinator
Krissy Reetz
Mission Commander, Planetarium Presenter, after school program coordinator and Instructor
Krissy is a physicist and astronomer. She holds an MS degree in Applied Physics, BS degree in Physics and Astronomy, and was previously a telescope operator at Kitt Peak National Observatory and Lowell Observatory. At the CLC, she designs and runs a variety of educational programs including Space Missions, camps, and custom planetarium presentations.
Mission Commander, Planetarium Presenter, after school program coordinator and Instructor
Krissy is a physicist and astronomer. She holds an MS degree in Applied Physics, BS degree in Physics and Astronomy, and was previously a telescope operator at Kitt Peak National Observatory and Lowell Observatory. At the CLC, she designs and runs a variety of educational programs including Space Missions, camps, and custom planetarium presentations.